re: How is my financial state at 26? Thanks for the input.

That article is hard to take serious. The author(looks like he's 28) says he's never owned a home because a few studies feel that home ownership leads to unemployment?

quote:

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Now, owning a home makes sense for a lot of people. But to me, the study has two obvious takeaways. One is that while many of us focus relentlessly on the costs of renting -- you're throwing your money down the toilet! -- the costs of owning a home can be far greater. Worse, those costs are largely hidden, since it's hard to calculate the price of not being able to easily move for a new job.

Two, there are hidden costs to subsidizing home ownership. The highly popular mortgage interest deduction is one of the largest tax deductions in existence. The FHA is now a major player in the mortgage market. Both seek to promote home ownership without much thought about the knock-on costs, like lower job mobility.

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He then goes on to say how on the micro scale things aren't always that way.

Well no shite.

Like any investment, you need to do your homework. The OP appears to be diligent and interested in his financial future. I think the positives of home ownership are worth exploring. Especially with a look at multi-unit rentals.